Editorial

We have been writing a lot about taxi apps in the past seven months and this issue is no exception. Taxi apps like ‘ingogo’ and goCatch are the most important development since the introduction some 15 years ago of computer dispatch and Cabcharge EFTPOS. In fact, they could become more important as no longer will a passenger have to wonder when his cab is coming or if it is coming at all. And you won’t have to wonder if he is where he says he is. You can see him on your phone till the moment he gets into your cab.

The apps are also ready to take on EFTPOS. This month ingogo will roll out its smartphone payment systems, which will charge users only 8% per transaction and pay drivers a substantial share of the fee. Get your update on the app wars. It’s all “go go go” on the App Front.

George Michael, owner of GM Cabs, Australia’s second largest taxi EFTPOS provider, realising that apps are here to stay, has been quick off the mark turning what was a threat into a business opportunity. He will be launching his own app, GM Go Mobile, this month in collaboration with goCatch and TPay. To top it off, he has also just started his own taxi network in Sydney. If you know George, it won’t surprise that it is called GM Network. More on the rise of GM Cabs on Mr. GM Cabs - a Man on a Mission.

Queenslanders go to the polls on 24 March and if the feedback I have received from drivers and operators up there the wipeout for Labor will be even greater than the historical one we saw last year in NSW. Even true believers find it impossible to vote for the Bligh Government this time.

What a change in government will mean for the taxi industry will be interesting to see. The rank and file certainly has nothing to be grateful to Labor for.

Despite the overwhelming likelihood of a change the operator association, Queensland Taxi Advisers Inc., are continuing to lobby the Department of Transport and Main Roads to have network fees regulated having found that Queensland operators pay the highest network fees in the country. Time has come to regulate Network Radio Fees.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, who drove a cab at night when he was in his 20s, has come out contradicting the long held view of the regulators and the networks that only tough regulations and enforcement will motivate cabbies lift their game. Instead he is suggesting that incentives may a better road to take. The carrot rather than the stick. Give that man a cigar! The head of the Victorian Taxi Industry Inquiry, Allan Fels, welcomed the Lord Mayor’s suggestions and will consider including them in his broader reforms. Drivers Incentives, what a novel Idea.

The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, which is in the process of working out the annual fare adjustment for NSW cabs, last year hired an independent consultant, The Centre for International Economics, to update the Taxi Cost Index it uses for that purpose. The CIE released its draft report in December and met with stakeholders last month. Read my view 'So much Effort, such a Waste of Time'.

Simultaneously Transport for NSW has commissioned Pricewaterhouse Coopers to advice it on how many new taxi licences to release in 2012/13. More Plates could be in the Pipeline.

An off-duty Sydney cabbie had a run-in with the cops on Australia Day for photographing them snoozing on a cab rank. Thought he should share the moment with us. Hail a Cop Car from your nearest Rank.

As no doubt you have noticed, OZ Cabbie is a bit late this month. I had a little mishap, which made it unavoidable. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Peer Lindholdt

Editor